Friday, October 31, 2008

As a child, I waited all year for Halloween to roll around, and fondly remember those nights when I took a pillowcase and canvassed the neighborhood with my friends. Knocking on doors, saying “trick or treat” and watching the adults hand over the loot filled with homemade popcorn balls, candied apples and other special prepared treats conjure up feeling I can hardly express properly. Those were such special days. I filled my sack until I could no longer carry it, then headed home to empty it. But, once I emptied it, I wasn’t yet done. I headed out for round two, especially to those houses that were giving away whole candy bars.

My costume was always homemade, because we couldn't afford the store bought kind. But that didn't matter; I was having the greatest childhood in the world. What a treat it was to run through the neighborhood by ourselves past sunset. My folks didn’t worry about us encountering trouble, because all the neighbors watched out for one another’s children.

My best memories of Halloween, however, were the ones spent before the night of trick or treating. Those days spent with my mom and dad helping us kids carve pumpkins are visions in my mind that will never fade. No matter how bad a job we did on the pumpkins, they would always tell us how beautiful they were. Usually mom would have hot apple cider waiting when we finally trudged in from the porch, and the fireplace was always ablaze. Today, on this special childhood occasion, is your house like this? I hope it is. My whole neighborhood took part in this day, and people who didn't have children, often seemed to have a better time than the ones who did. This day creates great childhood memories.

What has happened to our lives since those carefree days? I wish I knew. Today, I won't even let my son go out early Halloween night without Vickie or me being with him. Most of the candy Joshua receives is given away or thrown away, if it's not properly packaged. I ask God’s forgiveness for the way we have sat back and watched these special childhood times to be ruined for our children.

So why am I writing so much about Halloween? If you remember, I said that people collect what they remember from their past, and Halloween was usually a happy day for most people. This being so, then there most be collectibles that can make us money from Halloween. And, there are. A few of these collectibles would be candy containers of Hobo's, Jack O' Lanterns, and Roly Polys.

Witches can easily bring you $500 or more. Costumes from the past such as Boss Hogg, Fonz, Mickey Mouse, Spiderman and other creatures are always being sought out by collectors. Paper mache masks from the Mardi Gras can command prices as high as $1000. There are many more items that will come to mind as you are on the search, but don't leave Halloween items off your list of things to search for. BOO!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

I hope you have heeded my advise over this past six months or so and have collected every item you could pertaining to this year’s election. If you have stashed away a nice collection, these items will be as good as money in the bank for you. With the election only a few days away, it’s anyone’s guess who will be declared leader of this great country. In past Blogs (linked for you below) I’ve stated that if Obama is elected, the memorabilia from this election season could be equal in value to that of Washington and Lincoln. If you haven’t collected anything yet, it’s still possible for you to participate in this bonanza.

Go to the local headquarters and pick as much material as they will allow you to take. Offer to post yard signs, because these will have value after the election. If you’ve been lucky enough to have collected early during the campaign season and have pieces signed by the candidate, these can be gold for you. Try to find photographs signed by Obama or school yearbooks from schools he’s attended and signed his name for a friend. Anything with Obama’s signature will put money into your account. Take a look at what’s currently selling on eBay under the candidates names, then look through the completed sales. You’ll get an idea of what current values are and the types of items are most sought after.

History will still be made should McCain be elected, with the Republican party electing the first woman to ever hold the office of Vice President of the United States. I’ve seen Sarah Palin autographing signs for people while she’s been campaigning. Those can be worth a lot of money. Gather everything and anything you can that’s free, and if you have a good hunch about who will win, you might want to bid on a special piece that’s currently selling.

I have been totally surprised by the attention my political memorabilia blogs have received. Two major newspapers in New York have called and interviewed me about my view of where values will go with this year’s election collectibles, and they were surprised at what I had to say. An AP reporter did a story about my view for a California paper earlier this year, and yesterday I was called by an reporter from CBS Television in Los Angeles wanting to do a TV interview, but the time and distance, unfortunately, made that impossible.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Some entertainers remain popular over the years, while some simply fade into the sunset. Who really knows why. The Beatles and Elvis certainly qualify as entertainers whose appeal has passed the test of time, and collectors throughout the world will always pay a good price for a rare item of theirs. This situation makes it ideal for us to make a lot of money, even though our focus might be on other items.

If you feel inclined to add these types of items to your search, there’s a few techniques that might make this easier for you. Pick out three superstars from your past and let everyone you meet know that all items about these people interest you. You might even make cards that specifically include these names on them. Cards can be easily purchased for as little as $18 for 500. In fact, you can get FREE Business Cards right here. No there’s no excuse.

Visit as many resale shops as you can and save Saturdays for flea markets, garage sales, and house sales. Make sure every shop you visit and every person you meet has your card in hand. I just heard of a woman who purchased a Beatles album for $1 or so whose value is in the thousands.

I’ve shared in a blog earlier this year about my friend, Colin, who has the largest collection in the world of items put out by his favorite group – Bones Thugs & Harmony. While this certainly isn’t my favorite, people certainly have different tastes. Over the years, by selling off duplicate items he’s acquired, his bank account has grown substantially, while his collection remains intact and has skyrocketed in value. This young man has already learned the principles we teach at 31 Club.

I've written a 220 page book that teaches regular people how to buy and sell antiques, collectibles, and fine art for profit. When you join the 31 Club for a one time charge, the book is FREE! As a member of 31 Club, you'll have the opportunity to learn all about antiques, collectibles and fine art while you're out there looking right off the bat. So, if you've simply been reading the blog, I'm here to tell you that you're missing a lot. The book is a treasure chest of inside the industry secrets that will definitely save years off your life. Take the plunge here, and come out ahead of the pack.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

We talked about making money with doctor items yesterday, but when I ask my wife to read that blog she said, “ Why don't you write about my favorite doctor?” This stumped me for a moment until I realized she was talking about “Dr Pepper.” Yes, Vickie is a Pepper and proud of it. So, today, I’m dedicating this blog to her.

To please her, I’ll share a brief history of Dr. Pepper: Charles Alderton was the one who discovered the formula for this popular drink, back in 1885, when he was a soda jerk for Morrison’s Old Corner Store in Waco, Texas. It soon became very popular with the local customers, so much so, that the store had a hard time keeping up with the demand. Mr. Alderton wanted to name the new soda, “Waco, ” but he was overridden by the store owner, Mr. Morrison, who named the drink after a friend by the name of Dr. Pepper. The Dr. Pepper company was formed in 1891, and its product was introduced to the world in 1904 at the Worlds Fair. It's the oldest major manufacturing company of soft drink concentrates and syrups in the United States.

Wow! That was a mouth full, but now, how can begin to make money with this information? There millions of people around the world that now call themselves ”Peppers” and wouldn't think of drinking any other soda. Doesn’t it make sense that some of them would be collectors? This is where you come in by finding the early and rare items produced by the Dr Pepper Company and selling them to the collectors.

The large tin signs from yesteryear are sought after and command prices in the upper hundreds to the lower thousands. Then, there are the early bottles and advertising, plus advertising glasses and calendars. The array of items that are out there to be found is almost without number, and they can help put money in your pocket.

I remember the time I saw an early Dr. Pepper advertising tin surrounding an outdoor thermometer sell for several thousand dollars, and I had seen the very same piece at a garage sale priced at $10. Boy, did I feel foolish for having passed that by.

The lesson to be learned here is that we don't have to make this business difficult. Just look for items representing products from you past, and that you’ve seen your friends using. There are collectors for just about everything you can imagine. And you can probably check this out for yourself by doing a search on the Internet.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

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Monday, October 27, 2008

Cupping and Bleeding set, circa 1880, made by Capron, Paris is offered at Antiquemed.com

Pepto Bismol might not be enough to settle our stomachs in this turbulent market, so, we might be thinking a visit to the doctor might be the order for the day to cure what ails us. The real cure, however, might not be found in either one of these solutions. Rather, finding the right medical collectibles and cashing in on their values will likely work miracles in calming that upset stomach.

Doctors have been admired for centuries and discoveries have shown that surgery was performed thousands of years ago. So, what should we be on the lookout for when we’re at auctions, estate sales, or paying a visit to a prospective client?How about a Rhinoceros horn? No, I’m not a brick short of a load this morning. Something you might not know about the Rhinoceros horn is that it is supposed to have magical powers, and a cup from this horn was fashioned and used for medical purposes. If you come across one, you should know that these can be valued as high as $10,000. However, there are many more items related to the medical profession of yesteryear that are more readily available than one of these horns.

I can still remember the leather medical bag my doctor carried in the days when doctors made home visits. When he opened it, my eyes would widen with excitement, not knowing what he would pull out of it. Usually, the first item I saw was the doctor's stethoscope. One of these old style instruments will fetch good money today, but there are many other items to keep an eye out for. Apothecary Jars, Poison Bottles, Hot Water Bottles, bleeding cups, mortar & pestles, and surgical instruments are items that were often found in that black doctor’s bag, and these could bring some good money today.

One of the most sought after of items is something called a quack machine, said to perform astonishing cures. They really did nothing to help the patient, but nonetheless, if you find one it could be valuable, depending upon how outrageous it is. A Dr. Daniels Tin Veterinary cabinet could bring $5,000 plus.

I once made a big mistake on a surgical set being auctioned locally here in Chicago. I saw it during the preview and it held my interest, but as the night wore on, I decided to leave before this lot came up for auction. I later found out it sold for only a few hundred dollars. I looked up its possible value in a very old Civil War guide I had and discovered its value back then was listed at $5,000. Who knows what it would be valued at today. I just check this off as another one of my many mistakes. I share this with you so you don’t make the same mistakes I did. I often get a little antsy and don’t stay around for some the items I’ve had an interested in. Big mistake. Stay a little longer for the items that have initially caught your eye. It can pay you off several times over.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

In past blogs I have mentioned how I thought Lotton glass would be as valuable as Tiffany's in the future. I still believe this to be a fact, but what if I told you that today, right now, there are contemporary glass artists that command prices equal to Tiffany? A contemporary artist is one that was working after 1975. Do you believe me? Well it's true and I will share a few of them with you today.

First, and perhaps best know, is Dale Chihuly. His work appears in museums around the world and he is a prolific producer of wonderful, whimsical pieces. He was born in 1941 and is still active today. He once made a chandelier that was more than 200 feet long. He broke away from traditional styles and produced pieces that utilize the natural flow of glass and combined that with very vivid color. His work is stunning! I found one of his pieces that sold for $48,850 at auction and I believe that he has sold several pieces privately for amounts larger than those sold at auction. His work gives new meaning to the word contemporary.

He isn't the only artist excelling in today's marketplace - another is William Morris. His work commands prices in excess of $30,000. I have seen some of the glass that he has formed and it is quite unusual. He had a connection to Dale Chihuly. My personal favorite, however, is Mark Peiser. You can find some of his average pieces on eBay but they don't represent the quality he exhibits when he undertakes his landscape masterpieces.

I have a story about my first encounter with Peiser's work. I was scanning one of the Cincinnati Art Gallery auction catalogs when I noticed a piece of glass that looked as if you could walk into it. The piece consisted of a forest with fallen trees laying on the ground with moss and flowers surrounding them. It was so real, my eyes could hardly take in what I was seeing. Knowing nothing about Mark Peiser, I decided I had to have this piece. If memory serves me correctly, the estimate was just a few thousand dollars and I was willing to bid up to the high estimate to acquire it. While waiting to bid I could feel my blood pressure rising as the number for this item approached. I didn't have long to wait as the initial bid exceeded the high estimate and the bidding didn't stop until it reached almost $20,000. Needless to say, I am still looking for one of those pieces for my collection.

There is a great book entitled “Masterpieces of American Glass” by Jane Shadel Spillman and Susanne K. Frantz that would be a great addition to your resource library. This book contains work by the above-mentioned artist, plus many more that you should watch for. There is contemporary and then there is “contemporary” - wouldn't you agree?

Saturday, October 25, 2008

I have always thought of Souvenirs as trinkets, but no more. There are serious collectors for items that remind people of wonderful memories of time spent family or friends.

The secret of making money with souvenirs is to find items that were made only in small amounts. For example, Olympic Torches bring huge money. A 1992 Barcelona Olympics can sell for $5000 or more, and a torch from the 1984 Los Angles event will bring over $4000. This is just one of the items you might have acquired if you have been fortune enough to attend an Olympics. Paper items such as pamphlets about certain attractions or schedules of events are eagerly sought after by collectors who are willing to pay big money for the right ones.

One of the biggest collections of souvenirs I’ve seen was one a gentleman had put together of the Statue of Liberty. It was composed of thousands of items in every shape, form, and fashion one could imagine. There were snow globes, ashtrays, spoons and figurines, and this is just a starter list. Small items ranging from key chains to large structures eight or nine feet high made up this large collection. When I asked him why he had such an interest in the Statue of Liberty, he told me that his parents came to this country as immigrants, and he never wanted to forget what this country meant to his family. Boy, do I wish more of our immigrants felt that way today.

Niagara Falls is another area of collecting to people who remember this as the most romantic place in the world. It used to be known as the honeymoon capital of the world. Many types of souvenirs were produced for the visitors of this world renowned wonder.

One of the greatest things about finding souvenirs is that they are so easy to sell. You may even find collector clubs who will notify members of items you want to sell.Some of my personal favorites are the items made to help you remember your visit to My Old Kentucky Home. I am sure this isn't a huge surprise to you who know me. Sometimes some of the items we think don’t have much value to us have great value to others. Fun and profit is our motto, and souvenirs fill both these.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Friday, October 24, 2008

I got up this morning to news that the world was coming to an end. Collapse of the markets as we know them and world recession news was everywhere. But, don’t you believe what you read, because America is where it’s at, and the rest of the world will rush to our shores in these rough times. If the doomsdayers are right, America might be the only safe haven in the world.

Despite all this, there couldn’t be a better time to pick up fabulous pieces of Rookwood, Grueby, or Newcomb pottery at bargain prices. Watch the up coming auctions and I believe you’ll see there will be bargains to be found there. In fact, your wait time for making huge profits on pieces found now may be shorter than most think. Once the election is out of the way, people will begin to realize the sun has come up and the sky hasn’t fallen. They’ll still be able to make money, and it’ll be going further. Gas prices will fall and food prices will follow.

Don't let yourself fall into the trap of thinking that nothing will ever be the same again. This can become paralyzing, causing a person to stop functioning. Get busy and keep your mind active in a good way now, and it will pay huge profits in the future.

Gold, silver and other commodities have had their day, and now it will be the Antiques and Fine Art market that will shine. While the stock market is off 50% the Antique and Fine Art markets have hardly flinched. So, take advantage of this by searching even harder for the treasures that will serve you well.

Yesterday, I spoke to Gene, who is listed on our Expert Resource list. He said that at the lower end of the art market may be a little lower, but for the better painting, he had people waiting to buy, if he could find what they wanted. This is just what I’ve been telling you for months.

Visit those thrift shops and antique malls and attend more of the garage and house sales. You may find that people are throwing the baby out with the bath water. Several blogs ago, I said I was using Craiglist.org more, and wow, did I get a favorable response. Every item I listed I was contacted about. People are just now beginning to be aware that the better items might come on the market, so they are being more aggressive in their search. This just means that we now have to be sure to take what we find to them. Heads up and eyes straight ahead. That’s where we want to be because the cash is out there to be had.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Before I left on my trip earlier this month, a friend called to tell me about an auction in Massachusetts. I agreed to take a look at what they were offering. I honestly wasn’t that excited to so this; I had packing on my mind. I took a look at the offerings on their site anyway, mostly out of courtesy to my friend. But, surprise surprise. There were at least 12 paintings that caught my interest. I ended up leaving bids on 6 of them.

While I was away, I became the owner of 2, one of which is by Jacob Greenleaf, whose work we already own. I have since talked to the owner of Blackwood-March Auction in MA, and we have agreed to keep in touch.

I have found that Local auctions seem to be the most profitable place for me to buy good art. They have every bit in quality that the major houses have, and this is where we can profit.

First, there’s less competition. Maybe it’s because the advertising might not equal that of the major houses. Or, perhaps people just don’t pay as much for items because they figure the quality is less than they might find at one of the major houses. I don’t truly know the motivation behind each person placing great items in local auction houses, but consider this my very educated guess. I do know this, however: High quality items very often turn up at local auction houses because, the truth is, people would rather deal with people they know, not to mention the cost to them is usually less. There is also the intimidation factor many people feel when dealing with Christie’s or Sotheby’s. I’ve experienced it firsthand.

The best way to take advantage of this phenomenon, is to make a listing of all the auction houses within 75 miles of your home. Call each one of them and ask to be put in their database. This will allow these houses to contact you whenever they have an auction. Doing this will give you plenty of time to prepare for your visit to preview, or to decide upon which of their offerings you might want to leave absentee bids after you view their fliers or catalogs.

When you view the auction houses’ offerings, don’t limit yourself to just one type of item. I often find the best items in the sale weren’t the ones I thought I’d be buying. My intentions might have been to buy a painting, but after I studied the offerings, I discovered a Meissen figurine, for example. If this is an auction where most of the people in attendance would rather have stoneware instead of a Meissen, I might just pick up that bargain I was looking for.

I’m telling you, aside from having entree into private homes, these local houses could end up being your greatest asset.

You might be seeing and hearing all bad news on TV and radio, but don’t believe it all. The antique and fine art business is well and healthy!

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

If you can find what the collector is looking for, then recession doesn't figure into the equation. There doesn't seem to be any lack of funds in the upper end Antique and Fine Art markets. I’ve stated this to you on many occasions. But, as news of the volatile stock markets continue, it’s important to me that I find evidence of this so we don’t get run over by the economic dark cloud that pervades this period of time and become paralyzed with fear. Our industry is still very sound, and I remain very positive. Why?

Watching all the current auctions is part of what’s convinced me that all is well. Even yesterday, I received a call from a collector, Paul. He called me about one of the paintings we listed on ……Craigslist.org!!! (If you’ll remember, a few days ago I recommended you try this.) Now this was not some lower end item, but rather the William Horton we have with an asking price of over $20,000.

Paul assured me that money was no object, and that he was finding that now is the best time he’s seen in years to buy the treasures he’s been looking for. In fact, as we conversed, he told me that one of his favorite artists is Leon Dabo, and his personal collection of this artist’s work exceeds 100 paintings. This really got us talking because, only a couple of years ago, I sold two wonderful Dabo paintings.

So, I’m passing this on to you: We have a good customer for works by Leon Dabo. If you find one, or have one you want to sell, we have the buyer.

It didn't take long before Paul and I were talking about our other interests, and he told me he’s always looking for Meissen pieces to add to his already extensive collection of Meissen. I asked Paul how he thought the prices for Meissen was holding up in what some perceive as hard times. His answer might surprise you. “My problem isn’t the price, but I just can’t find the pieces,” he told me.

Recession? In Antiques & Fine Art? What recession? You can now add Meissen to your list as your hunt continues.

If you’re not familiar with Meissen, I suggest that you go to eBay and look at all the completed auctions. This will give you a start in recognizing pieces made by the Royal Meissen Factory. There are many fake pieces, but the fakes are rather easy to identify. I hope that most of you have already purchased Kovel’s New Dictionary of Marks. This is a necessary tool, if you want to succeed in this business. A used copy is just fine.

So, turn off the TV News, and keep moving forward. Start gathering your list of estate sales and auctions for this coming weekend and for next week. Chart your course and don’t look back.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Yesterday was quite a surprise for my first day back. I received a call, from Christina Hoag of the Associated Press of L.A., wanting to know how I felt about the Antique and Art business during this crisis. Guess what I shared with her? Now is the time to buy - because people are selling their better Antiques and Art to make ends meet. Remember there are always buyers for the rare and unusual so this is an opportune time for you to make your money for the year.

When I had finished this interview, I spoke with Walt Kolenda and Mindy about the Auction Wally Show we would be doing that evening. It is always a pleasure to share my thoughts and ideas with the wonderful people that listen to the Auction Wally Show. Hopefully some of what I said has value for their listeners. This was the first time that I talked to Mindy and she sound very excited about this business. I look forward to talking to her more in the future about the contemporary art and collectibles that she seems to be so knowledgeable about.

Guess what else happened? I was checking Yahoo and there was an article that talked about how Craig's List was being used by people to meet their financial needs. Great minds think alike - wouldn't you say? They are a little late with this article because anyone who reads my blog would have already known this. I recently put four paintings on Craig's list and I received four responses today. I will keep you informed as to my success, but this seems like a very good start.

Everything seemed to be going in the right direction yesterday - I even received an email from Christie's with an estimate on a painting that I may send to have them auction off (the estimate valued the painting at twice what I expected.) How often does that happen and who says the market is soft?

The 31 Club held a board meeting last night and I can tell you that my feet aren't touching the ground yet. I can't share with you all the great things we discussed, but in coming days I hope to reveal some wonderful news to all my readers. There are some exciting things on the horizon if certain things can be accomplished by the 31 Club. Stay tuned for further reports.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Willem de Kooning's work is part of the several items Christie's will auction next month from the estimated $21M art collection of Richard Fuld and his wife, of the now bankrupted Lehman Bros.

During the price boom in real estate, few people thought about the appreciation potential on items they furnished their homes with. Rather, they focused on the appreciation potential of the home itself. What they’d really been doing is following the crowd, and in doing so, completely missed the growing values in the Antique & Fine Art Markets.

In the past few years, a person could often make more money from the increased value of their home than from their salary at work. I’ve gone into homes that had increased in value substantially, and last year, had been valued in the multi-millions. I couldn’t help but notice that while the property was very valuable, nothing on the inside was. These multi million dollar homes were decorated in low quality furnishings and cheap items from big box stores.

Now, many of these expensive properties are sitting on the market with no one to buy them, losing value each passing week. If the items inside had included some fine art and valuable antiques, there could likely have been a valuable silver lining to today’s scenario. Even Richard Fuld, CEO of the now defunct Lehman Bros. will likely be cashing in on an art collection his wife has been busy with over the years, when it’s auctioned at Christie’s next month. I’m guessing it will likely bail him out of other losses, like his Florida property that’s not worth anything close to what he paid for it.

While I don’t believe there will be many people looking to expand the size of their living quarters right now, we might likely see people buying better quality items with the money they have. Replacing these cheap furnishings with high quality items serves a twofold purpose. Naturally, it beautifies your surroundings, but it also gives you a safer haven to park your money during this volatile time. Purchasing the right fine art and antiques with your money allows it to increase in value far away from the turbulent markets.

Today, I think that this will be a tremendous factor in what people buy for their homes. The loss on home values can be replaced by the increased value of fine art and antique furnishings, carefully selected for its lasting value and continued demand.

With money earning only 3 or 4 percent in the bank, 401K’s and other retirement accounts losing a tremendous amount of value, combined with more than 3 or 4% inflation, how is the average person to keep up? What else is there left to invest in?

Why not invest in the things that have most consistently risen in price year after year, namely antiques and fine art. There is no question that rare and unusual items have out produced any other type of appreciation for many years. Dress up your house during these tough times, but at the same time, fatten your bank account.This opportunity to buy some of the best antiques and fine art seems almost to good to be true, but it isn't. We should become our own Goodwill Ambassadors. Tell everyone we talk to about this great opportunity, share the treasures that will make money over the next few years. Why not say to your neighbor, “Susan, I have a great painting that will not only look good over your couch, but will make you money while it hangs there.” What a friend Susan has in you, and you can bet it won’t be the last purchase she’ll make from you.

We might have to become a little more aggressive in our sales activities. But when we keep moving forward by continuing to train ourselves n the quality items, we’ll come out ahead. If you’ll remember that a Tiffany vase sitting on a table will be enjoyed by its owner, admired by many, and make the owner money all at the same time, you’ll find a way to make some substantial sales.

That painting by a well known listed artist displayed on the wall of your living room will add beauty and quality to any home, is sure to start many conversations, and will be admired by family and guests. Wait until Uncle Jim discovers that your painting serves as your new IRA and 401K. Wink, wink.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

After a week in the desert, I’ve had time to think about what we should be doing in these difficult economic times. The rare and unusual are still in demand; I have proven that over the last couple of months by selling a few great treasures, but it hasn't been because the buyers searched us out. So how do we sell our treasures today?

The auction route is still possible, but as I have stated in the past, using this avenue to sell your items can cost you dearly, sometimes up to 50% of your selling price. That eats away at your profit, and may not allow you to meet your goal of doubling your investment to keep your funds compounding. So, what other ways can we use to sell the better items we purchase? I spent many hours on my trip just thinking about this situation. The old saying “keep it simple, stupid” came to me. So, how can we do that?

We must take our antiques and art directly to the buyer. And do it inexpensively so our profits remain high. I’m going to start using Craigslist.org, which is free somewhat. However, there is a right way to use these listing as a tool for selling in order to get the results you desire. Try listing in areas where there will most likely be interest in what you’re selling is the first step. This might take a little research. For example, Rookwood Pottery might be listed in the Cincinnati area, because that’s where it was produced. The Charles Vickery prints we have could be listed right here in Chicago, because he was a Chicago artist. So, if you have a painting by a regional artist, then this is where you might expect to find the most interest in that artist’s paintings.

Another source is to go on the Internet and type in “free ads” in the search box. There you will find many places you can advertise your treasures for sale at no cost. I was amazed at how many sites provided free listings, and I have had some results using this method for selling. One of the first suggestions I gave to members of the 31 Club was to subscribe to the Antique Trader and Antique Week. If you did this, you know there are classifieds in each paper where you may find willing buyers, or you might want to have your own listings.

Another idea is to look up collector clubs. Find a club that collects what you are looking to sell. Email them with a list of your items. Today, you will have to go a little outside to box to get your items sold at the higher prices, but it can still be done. 31 Club will be continually searching for ideas to pass on to the members to assure their success, even in times like these.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Last night about 7:00 PM, my wife and I got a call from my son Joshua with news we didn't expect. “Daddy, Grandmother didn’t pick me up from soccer tonight,” he said. That took a little time to sink in, since Vickie and I are in Palm Springs. At first we thought that maybe Grandma had misunderstood what she was supposed to do, thinking Joshua was going to walk home. Unfortunately, this didn’t prove to be the case.

Joshua’s coach took him home and discovered that our car wasn’t there, and Joshua’s Grandmother was no place to be found. Time now seemed to stand still for a while. We had no choice but to call the police, and we did. Some time later, the police located our car in the parking lot of a Walgreens drug store about a mile from where we live, but no Grandmother yet in sight. We can’t figure out why she would’ve been there when there’s a Walgreens about half a block from our house she could walk to.

The purpose of this letter was to ask for your prayers for my family. Just yesterday, I wrote about how we at the 31 Club are family and we would pray for each other if someone asked. I’m asking for your prayers now. Please pray that she is found and is safe and well.

News Update:

I can now tell you that our loved one, Vickie’s stepmother, was just found and is just fine. You can imagine how upset she was after being lost in a city she wasn’t familiar with for over four hours. You can’t imagine how the tears are flowing here in California. I would like to change my request for prayer to one of praise and of thanking G-d for his mercy and protection

I am really drained, so with your permission, I will ask that this suffice as my blog for today, and I just thank you for being here.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Have you ever come under attack because you stated an opinion? I did, and the ones perpetuating the attacks even went so far as to contact sites that published my opinions and asked them to remove the posts. These were articles and blogs I’d written advising it was time to sell your silver. At that time, the price was around $16, and I also stated that you’d be able to buy silver back at $6-$8. You see, these bastions of knowledge demanding the removal of my posts were the ones pushing silver to investors with claims of it reaching $50. Pushing the silver they had purchased around $3. I hope you wrap your mind around that.

In my opinion, this is the most dishonest practice I can think of. If they’d taken their own advice, they would all be broke. Instead, they’re licking their chops over the large sums of money they just made selling you their $3 inventory at inflated prices, and now they’re waiting to buy that same inventory back from you when the price tanks and people sell off at $5. Then, they will tell you it’s the time to buy again, as they artificially run the price up and later, dump it on you again. And the wheels on the bus go ‘round and ‘round.

I do think the time to buy silver may be approaching, but even if you do begin to buy, don’t fill your bank all at one time or at one price. If the price of silver drops to $6, buy a little, and if it drops, add a little more. This way your average cost will always set you in good stead when the market rallies again. And, it will. Remember, there is always a time to buy and a time to sell. But don’t be lead by unscrupulous people looking to take advantage of you.

By the time someone comes on TV or on the radio telling you to buy gold or silver right now, change to another station. As the price of these metals decline, these ads will disappear from the airways, because they can no longer take advantage of you by creating fear.

If you’re not a member of 31 Club, and you’re wondering what this has to do with making money trading in antiques, collectibles, and fine art, all I can tell you is that members of the 31 Club know that we’re more than just an antique, collectible & fine business club. We’re a family. As a family, family members are encouraged to come to us about anything that’s happening in their life, from personal struggles, to financial matters, or even if they need prayer for something going on in their life. As a side note to this, I am advising members to start taking positions in the stock market now. Don’t buy too much, but do begin to reinvest, if you liquidated your stock during this drop in the market. We might not be at the very bottom, but no one can pick that, so start slow and continue to add to your portfolio over the next few months.

I am waiting to hear from those who gave out the wrong information about the direction of silver values. Call me whatever names you like. I won’t stop opining.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Being in California this week has given me the opportunity to talk with many citizens of Mexican decent. Their friendliness has allowed me to ask them about the art and antiques produced south of our border, and to my amazement, they were very open, and their knowledge of rare items surprised and educated me.

I was aware of the silver from the Taxco region and the art of Diego Rivera, but very little else of what I might be looking for from Mexico. From our conversations, I now know that my education in Mexican treasures is very limited, and I am determined to change this as soon as I return to Chicago.

I learned from the people I met that quality items from Mexico are spread throughout this country and can be found in just about every state. Jewelry of coin silver has been produced in Mexico for hundreds of years, and some of the most beautiful pieces in the world had their beginning in the Taxco region. Some of the best goldsmiths ever to work with this precious metal came from this area, and their pieces can be found throughout Mexico and the States. Women from around the world have treasured their collections representing different types of pins, bracelets, and necklaces that often are adorned with precious stones.

Collections of pottery and textiles made by the native people of Mexico adorn the most prestigious collections throughout the world. Dealers often make the mistake of thinking that the only items that come across our borders from Mexico are the cheap commercial items that sell in the tourist shops, but I can guarantee you that there are great opportunities to profit by having the necessary knowledge to distinguish what are rare and common items from Mexico.

I also learned about the abundance of quality art produced by Mexican artists. I knew Diego Rivera’s work could bring up to a million and a half dollars, but past him, I’ve had very little knowledge of other artists. Since I know there must be more of these fine artists, when I returned back to our base, I got on the computer to do some research. I found several artists’ works I’d like to bring to your attention.

From 1932, a little pencil drawing, just 9 x 11 inches by Kahlo, sold for $13,000 while paintings by Francisco Zunigo and Luis Lopez each brought in thousands. I would suggest that you use your computer to find even more Mexican artist that will pay you handsomely, if you find them in your search.

Treasure Hunters:

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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

How often have you visited a garage or house sale and seen shelves stuffed with books you never took the time to look through? Probably, more times than you can count. I know I have. Books have always been a very secret collectible that few knew the value of. By not taking a look at the books at these sales, we might be making one of the biggest mistakes we can make in the antique business, and we just might be passing up some good solid money.

You won’t find the book dealers very talkative at house sales and estate sales, and for good reason. They can quietly enter a sale like a shadow, walk out with a fortune, and no one will be the wiser.

Granted, most books are worth very little, but not if you find medical books. Certain kinds of medical books. If you should find an old medical book, know that many of these can bring you huge profits, and you should know which ones. There are books listed on eBay for $5,000 and more, and I’m sure if you check AbesBooks, you will find many more, perhaps more expensive than this. There may have been a medical book at that last sale you attended, just sitting there, but you were in a big hurry to get into another room with all the overpriced items, while that book dealer who was standing in line behind you, breezed in and out in no time flat.

The seller of the book, “Primer of Hygiene,” listed on eBay, is asking $5,000 for his copy. I wonder what it will sell for. “Beck’s Medical Jurisprudence,” 1823, sold for $547 on eBay, and a 17th Century German Obstetrics/Midwifery book, sold on eBay for $750 early this month. “Medical Essay on Drunkenness” by Trotter, 1813, is listed for $1,250 on eBay. Given the topic, it will be interesting to see what this one sells for as well. These are they the types of books we could be keeping our eyes opened for.

It seems that the most valuable medical books are those from the early 1800’s or before, so this will give you a starting point. Interesting subject matter is usually a requirement, if we expect the books we find to have the values we’re looking for. When I realized the amount of money I could make if I found the right books, my interest in reading picked up noticeably. And that’s not all bad, is it?

By sheer chance, I had been watching an episode of the Antique Road Show, and they happened to have a woman looking for an appraisal of a very old religious book. She seemed like she would have been satisfied if they told her it was worth $100. When they gave her a price of $45,000 to $55,000 she seemed to pass into a trance. Wouldn’t you like to have that happen to you some day? Why couldn’t it?

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

This is the longest I have been away from my son, Joshua, who is nine years old. He calls at least three times a day or more, and I share what I’ve been doing while I’ve been away. Although he knows I didn't go away to specifically treasure hunt, he always asks me if I’ve found anything that's worth a lot of money. You see, I’ve been teaching him, from a very early age, that when you acquire knowledge of the Antiques and Fine Arts business, you can always provide a living for yourself. And when you travel, whether it's for pleasure or for visiting family, you can still be out on the hunt for that next great piece.

Already, Joshua's interest has evolved to the point that Lionel Trains is something he’s well versed in. While most people think that the important part of a train set is the engine, first, and then the cars, Joshua knows of something else that can bring top dollar.

If you attended a house sale and spotted a very old box in the corner of the basement that said "Lionel Train" on it, what might you do? Of course, your heart would probably start pumping very fast, and you'd probably head over that way. But, what would you do when you discovered the box was empty? While your heart rate might slow down from the disappointment, Joshua would still be really excited, because he knows that the old box can have great value. If you knew just how much value that old box could have, your heart would still be pumping like his. Here's how valuable that old box could be: $14,600 worth of value.

You probably think you didn’t read that figure right, but I assure you, you did. Joshua found an old Lionel Box from 1929 that sold on eBay after 93 bids. (Yes, he even knows how to research on eBay.) Here’s the listing he found, so you can see it with your own eyes. Just don’t forget to come back to finish the blog.

That listing is just one item pertaining to Lionel Trains that most people would overlook, and here are several others. A Lionel 920 Landscape Park will bring you $4,300 or better, while a standard gauge no. 94 high tension line can put $1,775 in your pocket, if not more. Not convinced yet? How about a Lionel Power Station for $1,650 or an early 810 Crane for $1,000. $880 is the value of a 927 Lamp Post, and a 912 Landscaped Villa could land you $800.

All these would most likely pass under the noses of most dealers. This is how you make the big bucks while others are asleep at the wheel. That’s why I am spending so much time with Joshua, at his tender age. He's learning how to make money and take care of himself. Besides that, he enjoys the hunt for treasure and he gets to spend time with Dad. That’s the way it should be!

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Monday, October 13, 2008

At this time, should we sell everything we own? A lot of very rich people on a TV program I watched late last night said we should. Are they right? It’s interesting to me that this was the general consensus, because I can assure you, they haven’t sold a thing. In fact, they will probably be the buying as everyone else is selling.

Take a look at Warren Buffet, a man most consider the smartest investor in the world. What’s he doing these days? He’s spending billions buying up the best companies he can find. I’d rather follow him than all those people who say the sky is falling.

So what should traders of antiques, collectibles and fine art be doing right now? The same thing we’ve been studying all year long at the 31 Club. We should be buying the best we can with the knowledge we’ve gained. We should be keeping our goals in front of us at all times, and moving forward even in the midst of this economic hysteria.

If someone is willing to sell you a Tiffany lamp for half of what its value was a year ago, buy it, of course. This is the time to take advantage of the mass hysteria sweeping the country. There’s never been a better opportunity to acquire some of the finest items at great prices. There is an old song that says a fool jumps in. That’s exactly what’s happening now. The stock market crash and burn has been the result of panic selling. People have jumped over the cliff, and many of them don’t know why they did. If you’re tempted to jump over the cliff, take a look behind you and see whether anyone is pushing you over the cliff or you’re doing it voluntarily.

Right now, valuables that have lost the least in this economic shakeout are the true artistic rarities in the Antique and Fine Art fields. I’m asking members of the 31 Club to turn around, see through the ash clouds of this economic hysteria and buy during this time. This is a great buying opportunity. The best items picked up during this time will be the ones that gain tremendous value as the economic climate improves. You cannot go wrong today buying the best Art Pottery like Rookwood, Grueby, Newcomb, and Ohr. The better Art Glass like Tiffany, Daum Nancy, Galle, Quezal, Rene Lalique, and many others will only gain in value and add to your bottom line. Fine Art Paintings that are being marketed at values far below their true value today are my personal favorites. This is a great time to look for paintings that represent artists who lived in your region. There will always be buyers for their works.

Yes, the common items so many people bought from garage sales for pennies and put up for sale on eBay might not be good sellers at this time. Then again, that’s not where we, at the 31 Club, want to be anyway. We aim to be dealing in the higher end of the market place, with items that are highly desirable and rare.

Right before leaving on vacation, I left six bids at an upcoming auction for paintings by listed artists I thought had been undervalued by the auction house. I won’t know if I purchased any of them until I return home, but my wish is that I purchased everyone of them.

Another event, right before leaving on vacation, was a call from man with twelve pieces of Lotton Glass he wanted to sell. I told him I would buy every one of his pieces. When I return home, I hope to purchase these.

As you can see, I will continue to buy the better pieces until I run out of money and can’t get any more. If I couldn’t buy now, I would get out of the business because this is the easiest time to make money in Antiques and Fine Art. You might be asking why I say that. Well, here’s why: When prices are up, the sellers think they should be getting top dollar for anything they sell, regardless of its true value. In a down market, people just want to get out at any price. That’s why you can find bargain during these times.

So, buy, buy, buy. You’ll be glad you did.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Spending time in constructive ways is the best strategy to prepare yourself for success in the antique, collectible and fine art business. this will pay you off in spades. Any time spent reading about antiques or art will only help you when you go out into the field and see what the pickings are. Scanning eBay’s completed sales will give you a sound basis for setting the prices you are willing to pay for almost any item you find while you’re out on the hunt and will give you the latest prices you need to sell your items. If you do this continually, you’ll know a lot more than you might think you do.

When I go travel away from home, I’m still thinking antiques and art, even if I’m supposed to be vacationing (much to the dismay of my wife.) I’ve found that when I’m vacationing or traveling anywhere, if I do business while I’m away, my trip has become a business trip, and that’s good for my bank account. There are certain actions that I think will give you a tremendous head start on your competition, if you follow them while traveling. Like, always having a least 50 business cards with you at all times and dispensing of them liberally, once you’ve determined that those you’ve spoken to about antiques, or about what you do, have an interest.

While I’m in the hotel, I pull out the phone book and make a list of all the dealers. I do this with the auction houses, as well. If there’s time, I call some of them and introduce myself. I tell them about the items I specifically look for and the items I generally look for. I also ask them to go to the 31 Club Wish List and look at what items I’m buying, as well as the ones members are looking to buy. When I call the auction houses, I ask them to put me on their mailing list. I also tell them I’ll send one of my business cards to be put on file with them.

If there’s time, I stop in as many of these antique shops as I can. I introduce myself to the proprietors, enter into a conversation and take a look at their items. If you wonder if I really do this all when I travel, here’s an example of my first day in Palm Desert, California, where I’m spending my 25th wedding anniversary with my wife, of course, and her sister and brother-in-law.

We arrived yesterday, and upon our arrival, we stopped for a bite to eat once we picked up our rental car. There was a small antique shop I made sure we stopped in to after lunch. We were greeted by a very polite lady, so I introduced myself and shared a bit about the 31 Club with her. She was more than willing to show me her shop and tell me all about the better items she was offering for sale. When it came time for me to leave, I gave her a card and asked if she’d send me an email so I could put her in my files.

Next, we all stopped at this wonderful little mall on the bay, and while my wife and the others dashed into one shop, I slipped into a glass shop I spotted. I found several pieces of art glass for sale by an artist I’m familiar with. The proprietor was more than willing to talk at great length about all of the artists’ work, and again, I left my card. I honestly think the 31 Club might have picked up two new members at these two establishments.

At the end of each trip, I drop a hand written note along with my business card to those antique establishments I've called by phone, but wasn't able to stop in to.I can assure you these simple things will increase your business and profits. I have also found many fine treasures while I was supposed to be on vacation.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

When I first started buying and selling Hummels, I thought that Goebel, the manufacturer of these cute little figurines made nothing but Hummels. But, I later learned that Goebel makes other items. And, while Goebel did produce all the Hummel figurines, it looks like this will not be the case in the future. So, while all Hummels are Goebel, not all Goebels are Hummels.

Why is this important? As Hummel changes to a new manufacturer, and their values continue to decline, the prices for other items produced by Goebel will increase in value.

In the past, when I began to notice pieces that had the Goebel mark, but were different than Hummels, I was able to buy them for a song, not really knowing if they had a value or not. I once spotted a figurine of a girl that was so different, I had to take a closer look at it. The Goebel crown mark was on the bottom, along with a price tag of $20. I bought it and took my time listing her on eBay. I wasn’t sure I’d get my money back. Once I listed her, I didn’t even check to see if I had any bids for a couple of days. When I finally did check, I had to put my eyeballs back in my head. Someone had bid $350. Over the next few days it approached $500. I became hooked on Goebel and began to search in earnest for the older Goebel pieces from the 1930’s and 40’s.

A sampling from Kovel’s Price Guide shows a group of Three Dancers, Art Deco, 1930 priced at $7340. A Beatles Yellow Submarine Grouping for $850 jumped out at me, and I see a Friar Tuck Cookie Jar for $800, as well as the Our Lady of Fatime figurine for $675. I’ll bet you’ll never look at a Goebel piece in the same way again.

Knowing the best in a class of antiques, art, or collectibles is something I’ve stressed over the last several blogs, so naturally I’ll stress it again today. Most average Goebel pieces will sell for $5-$20, but when you compare them with the best and most rare pieces, I believe you will agree there is a considerable difference in their value. While the profit on an average piece might buy you a hamburger, the money you’ll make from finding and selling a rare piece can take care of you for a month or more. The opportunity to substantially increase your bank account comes when you recognize what others don’t, so study, study and study some more. Our 31 Club Member, Cecil, has been successful in the business because he does some serious studying.

Friday, October 10, 2008

For the next week, I’ll be writing the blog from sunny California where I’ll be celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary for a week. Cindy will be conducting the business as usual as we will be in communication on a regular basis. With me gone, maybe Cindy, Chris and Jeremy can actually get some work done.  Unfortunately, books ordered during this time might be delayed a bit, so please be patient as we get this worked out.

Jeremy and I worked until about 12:30 a.m. this morning, and I am so amazed at what he is developing for our club.

Current Members: Please create your new ID and Password on the Members Only site as soon as possible. The way to get your new registration is to sign in as you normally do and then go to the members login. Click on it and this will bring up the sign-in page. Then to the new registration form.

Ready to Join? New members can create an ID and Password when they join.

Once you’re registered and logged in, members will find an Inventory Sheet where you can keep track of your progress in the “Million Dollar Race. Remember to also fill in the Wish List, as this will serve as free advertisement for you and will let others know what you are interested in buying.

You will want to check around the site of our 31 Club starting Saturday, because you just may find someone who is looking for what you have for sell. If you do find that one of our members is searching for that treasure you own, send him an email to check this program out. If you encounter any problems, please inform us as soon as possible, because we will be spending the next couple of weeks in shaking out any bugs.

Our AskArt listings are causing a real stir at the office. Our phones haven’t stopped ringing since we listed our inventory on the site. We’ve received a record number of calls from these listings. If you have any paintings that would make a good listing in our gallery, it’s looking like you can be assured they will be viewed now.

While I’m away, I hope to be blogging about all the great finds that will be traveling back to Chicago with me, but I am afraid that my wife Vickie has some other plans. Vickie's sister and brother-in-law will be traveling with us and this usual means I get out voted on the Antiquing.

Treasure Hunters:

You Find It.We Buy & Sell It.You Net 35%.

Partner Up with 31 Club on High Quality Treasures You Find. We Do the Rest!!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

This is of no surprise to me and it shouldn't be to you. I have been saying this was going to happen for over a year. Even if someone does take over the manufacturing of these cute little figures it won't be the same and the prices will have to drop tremendously for them to sell. When I began to see examples of the Hummel figurines that listed in the price guide for $500 selling as low as $75, I knew there was a crisis coming for the collector.

I have written about the couple that had a collection valued at $250,000 by the guide, sat aside, for their retirement that today would not bring $35,000. You may have thought that your portfolio has dropped in value over the last six months but I would say you're lucky compared to this couple.

But don't despair there may be a silver lining here. “ How could that be” well, let me tell you. The true collectors are still there but they will be looking for only the best and at better prices than in the past. This is where you come in because as prices drop people will sell the rare and the ordinary for near the same price giving you a great opportunity to cash in if you know the difference. In the future, only the Crown and Full Bee Hummels will really command prices that will put money into your pocket. For this reason, I would advise you to buy nothing below these marks unless by purchasing a whole collection it even brings the price you pay for the rare ones even lower.

My rule until I finally quit buying the Hummels was 25% of the book but today I would lower that to 10-15 %. You may think that this is to low but I guarantee you that they can be purchased at this price today. This would be a great time to advertise for Hummel collections because a few thousand dollars could go a long ways in purchasing a hundred or more of these today and this would assure you of a nifty profit when they are all sold.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008PRODUCTION OF HUMMEL FIGURINES TO STOP SOON

PRODUCTION OF HUMMEL FIGURINES TO STOP SOONGoebel Germany is stopping production of Hummel figurines on October 31, 2008. Demand has dropped to one third of expected sales. They will sell the figurines as long as they have supplies. We spoke to Carrie Kulak, the American media contact, and she said the 2008 International Club Convention in Germany October, 17th and 18th is cancelled. An announcement will be made in Germany at a special event on the 18th about the "solution" to the question "will there be more Hummels?" We are sure the rights to make the figurines will go to another manufacturer. Will prices for old Hummels go up or down? What do you think?

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